LIVERPOOL FC supporters' union Spirit of Shankly has again hit out at Tom Hicks after an impromptu protest following Saturday's win over Bolton forced the Reds' co-owner to leave Anfield via a side exit.

LIVERPOOL FC supporters' union Spirit of Shankly has again hit out at Tom Hicks after an impromptu protest following Saturday's win over Bolton forced the Reds' co-owner to leave Anfield via a side exit.

Hicks, whose takeover with George Gillett has seen the club saddled with debts of up to £240m, arrived at Anfield shortly after 1pm on Saturday, and word soon spread of his presence at the ground, with over 200 supporters gathering by the Main Stand car park after the match in freezing conditions to voice their disgust at the Americans' turbulent reign.

Club stewards and Merseyside police's match day patrol team tried to limit the extent of the protest by locking gates at either end of the car park.

Spirit of Shankly's James McKenna said, "Tom Hicks' presence on Saturday did nothing but fuel the flames rather than dampen them.

"If he is staying over for the Everton game next week, at our expense, it doesn't seem to be for the greater good that either Tom Hicks or George Gillett fly over to see Liverpool play.

"The fans protesting asked Tom Hicks to come outside and respond to their concerns about the club.

"We actually made a request to the police officers and stewards on duty to pass on the message and were told that they wouldn't be passing the message on.

"Fans will continue to question how much of a custodian of this football club Tom Hicks really is as it seem as though he's only interested on coming over here on an all expenses paid holiday, rather than to improve things at the football club, which just angers people even more."